People’s Plans and God’s Plans21How terrible it will be for thosewho plan to harm others!How terrible for those who make evil plansbefore they even get out of bed!As soon as daylight comes,they carry them out.That’s because they have the power to do it.2If they want fields or houses,they take them.They cheat men out oftheir homes and property.3So the Lord says to them,“I am planning to send trouble on you.You will not be able to save yourselves from it.You will not live so proudly anymore.It will be a time of trouble.4At that time people will make fun of you.They will tease you by singing a song of sadness.They will pretend to be you and say,‘We are totally destroyed.Our enemies have divided up our land.The Lord has taken it away from us!He has given our fields to thosewho turned against us.’ ”5So you won’t even have anyone leftin the Lord’s communitywho can divide up the land for you.Some Prophets Aren’t Really Prophets at All6“Don’t prophesy,” the people’s prophets say.“Don’t prophesy about bad things.Nothing shameful is going to happen to us.”7People of Jacob, should others say,“The Lord isn’t angry with us.He doesn’t do things like that”?The Lord replies, “What I promise brings good thingsto those who lead honest lives.8But lately my people have attacked one anotheras if they were enemies.You strip the rich robes offthose who happen to pass by.They thought they were as safe as menreturning from a battle they had won.9You drive the women among my peopleout of their pleasant homes.You take my blessing awayfrom their children forever.10Get up! Leave this land!It is no longer your resting place.You have made it ‘unclean.’You have completely destroyed it.11Suppose a prophet goes around telling lies.And he prophesies that you will haveplenty of wine and beer.Then that kind of prophet would bejust right for this nation!The Lord Promises He Will Save His People12“People of Jacob, I will gather all of you.I will bring togetheryou who are still left alive in Israel.I will gather you together like sheep in a pen.You will be like a flock in its grasslands.Your country will be filled with people.13I will open the way for you to return.I will march in front of you.You will break through the city gates and go free.I am your King. I will pass through the gatesin front of you.I will lead the way.”